The 90,000-tonne superliner Radiance of the Seas makes its first call to Auckland today.

Homes and businesses built over water may be exempt from paying rates under the new Marine and Coastal Area Act, which could cost local councils thousands in lost rates.

Two young brothers found in open water yesterday had no VHF, no GPS, didn't say where they were going and didn't know how to use the old flares they had on board.

Unusually warm water could see up to 70 shark species cruising Kiwi coastlines this summer.